Range Rover has unveiled its first electric vehicle (EV), providing a closer look at the initial prototype during rigorous Arctic testing in Sweden. The prototype features an all-black design, adhering to the brand’s iconic style while showcasing the quality of its construction.
This inaugural phase of real-world testing follows a comprehensive year of virtual development and component refinement aimed at producing the quietest and most sophisticated Range Rover to date. The vehicle’s testing regime spans some of the globe's most extreme environments, including temperatures ranging from -100°F in the Arctic Circle to 122°F in the Middle Eastern deserts.
At the heart of these tests is the Range Rover’s all-electric drivetrain, developed and assembled by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). This marks a first for the brand in integrating these types of crucial technologies in-house. The focus is on the battery and Electric Drive Unit (EDU), designed to ensure the vehicle performs reliably under extreme weather conditions.
A notable innovation in the Range Rover Electric is its advanced traction control system, distinct from traditional setups. This new system allocates wheel slip management to each individual electric drive control unit, drastically cutting down torque reaction times at each wheel from about 100 milliseconds to just 1 millisecond. This allows for unparalleled performance on icy or slippery surfaces.
Additionally, JLR has developed in-house software that fine-tunes the EDU speed, optimizing wheel slip management and reducing dependency on anti-lock braking systems. This enhances traction across various surfaces, providing a driving experience that is both responsive and refined.
Thomas Mueller, Executive Director of Product Engineering, emphasizes that the Range Rover Electric will offer all the traditional luxuries of the brand plus smooth, quiet electric propulsion. "To ensure we leave no stone unturned, we are well underway with our physical testing and development program, all designed at pushing the Range Rover Electric to the extremes to ensure its capability remains unparalleled when it reaches you," he said.
At the time of writing, specifics on price and availability have not yet been shared.
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